View source for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System

{{Short description|United States Navy and Missile Defense Agency anti-ballistic missile program}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2019}}
[[File:aegis bmd mda.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|The motto in [[Latin]]: ''Custos Custodum Ipsorum'' means "Guard of the Guardians Themselves" in English]]

The '''Aegis ballistic missile defense system''' ('''Aegis BMD''' or '''ABMD'''),<ref>[http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a541070.pdf Navy Tactical Reference Publication 1-02, Navy Supplement To The DOD Dictionary Of Military And Associated Terms, April 2011. Page 3-4. ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129145053/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a541070.pdf |date=November 29, 2022 }}. Accessed on 04 April 2013</ref> also known as ''Sea-Based Midcourse'', is a [[Missile Defense Agency]] program under the [[United States Department of Defense]] developed to provide [[missile defense]] against short and intermediate-range [[ballistic missile]]s. The program is part of the [[United States national missile defense]] strategy and European [[NATO missile defense system]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fact Sheet on U.S. Missile Defense Policy - A "Phased, Adaptive Approach" for Missile Defense in Europe|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the_press_office/FACT-SHEET-US-Missile-Defense-Policy-A-Phased-Adaptive-Approach-for-Missile-Defense-in-Europe|work=Office of the Press Secretary|publisher=The White House|access-date=23 August 2012|date=17 September 2009}}</ref>

Aegis BMD is an expansion of the [[Aegis Combat System|Aegis combat system]] deployed on [[warships]], designed to intercept ballistic missiles in [[Missile defense#Mid-course phase|mid-course phase]] (i.e., after the rocket burn has completed but prior to reentry into the atmosphere). Aegis BMD-equipped vessels can engage potential threats using the [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3|Standard Missile 3]] mid-course interceptors and the [[RIM-156 SM-2ER Block IV|Standard Missile 2]] and [[RIM-174 Standard ERAM|Standard Missile 6]] terminal-phase interceptors.<ref name="naval-technology.com"/><ref name="mda page">[http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_bmd.html Aegis BMD web page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125154343/http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_bmd.html |date=2014-01-25 }}, [[U.S. Missile Defense Agency]] official website.</ref><ref>[http://opencrs.com/document/RL33745/ Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense - Background and Issues for Congress] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811152641/http://opencrs.com/document/RL33745/ |date=August 11, 2014 }}</ref>

==History and technical development==

===Origins===
[[File:Standard Missile III SM-3 RIM-161 test launch 04017005.jpg|thumb|right|Standard Missile - 3 (SM-3) is launched from cruiser [[USS Lake Erie (CG-70)|USS ''Lake Erie'']] in November 2005]]
The current effort to deploy Aegis ballistic missile defense (ABMD) was begun during the mid-1980s as part of President [[Ronald Reagan]]'s [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (SDI). The SDI plan was initially for a space-based [[railgun]] system. However, technological constraints caused the system to be transformed into a surface-based system known as the [[Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile]] (LEAP). The original testing of the LEAP was done as part of the Army LEAP program.

Later, SDIO worked with the Navy to test the LEAP on the [[RIM-2 Terrier|Terrier]] missile. The Terrier LEAP demonstration program lasted from 1991 into 1995 and consisted of four flight tests. Two of these were intercept tests in early 1995; both failed to intercept—the first had a software error in the second-stage booster, the second had a [[Squib (explosive)|squib]] (pyrotechnic switch to connect power) in the kinetic kill vehicle that was mounted backwards and failed to fire.

===Program history and development===
During the late 1990s, the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] was tasked to provide a weapon system for exploratory testing of LEAP. This phase was designated the Aegis LEAP Intercept (ALI) program. The program was for two successful intercepts in five attempts. On June 13, 2002, the second successful ALI intercept occurred during the FM-3 flight test mission. Initial Aegis BMD success may have contributed to President [[George W. Bush]]'s decision to deploy an emergency ballistic missile capability by late 2004.

Upon the completion of the ALI program, Aegis BMD was transitioned to the production phase. The first Block I production [[SM-3]] was delivered in October 2004, and the Aegis 3.0 update was delivered in 2005.

This system was given major new importance by President Obama in September 2009, when he announced plans to scrap the plans for a [[US missile defense complex in Poland|missile defense site in Poland]], in favor of missile defense systems located on U.S. Navy warships.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/sm3.htm RIM-161 SM-3 (AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense)], spacewar.com.</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/world/europe/18shield.html?_r=2&hp NY Times article], 9/18/09.</ref> On 18 September 2009, Russian Prime Minister [[Vladimir Putin]] welcomed Obama's plans for missile defense which may include stationing American Aegis armed warships in the Black Sea, as these are likely to be less effective against Russia's missile attacks.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-missile-defense19-2009sep19,0,2726164.story Russia's Putin praises Obama's missile defense decision], LA Times, 9/19/09.</ref><ref>[http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/09/17/no_missile_defense_in_eastern_europe No missile defense in Eastern Europe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103153854/http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/09/17/no_missile_defense_in_eastern_europe |date=November 3, 2013 }}, foreignpolicy.com, 9/17/09.</ref> In 2009 several [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] ships were fitted with SM-3 missiles to serve this function, which complements the [[MIM-104 Patriot|Patriot systems]] already deployed by American units. Warships of Japan and Australia also have been given weapons and technology to enable them to participate as well.<ref name="navytimes 091909">[http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/09/military_missiledefense_obama_091709w/ Obama sharply alters missile defense plans] By William H. McMichael, Sep 19, 2009, navytimes.com.</ref><ref>[http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20091004.aspx Article on Sm-3 missile system], strategypage.com, 10/4/09.</ref>

Current Aegis BMD hardware includes the SM-3 Block-1a missile and other improvements to the Aegis Weapons System. Future development of the Aegis BMD system includes Launch on Remote capability, upgraded SM-3 avionics and hardware, and an upgraded Aegis Weapon System. In 2012 Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense will merge with [[Aegis Combat System#Aegis Open Architecture|Aegis Open Architecture]] and deliver the benefits of both platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/091610_LM_AegisBMD.html|title=Lockheed Martin Successfully Completes Formal Testing of Second-Generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Capability &#124; Lockheed Martin|date=October 20, 2011|accessdate=March 23, 2023|archive-date=October 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020202841/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/091610_LM_AegisBMD.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Launch on Remote capability involves the use of off-board sensors, such as the [[Space Tracking and Surveillance System]] to provide a targeting solution for a SM-3 launch.<ref>[http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/STSS_Demo_Satellites_Show_Force_Multiplier_Capability_In_Aegis_Campaign_Test_999.html "Force Multiplier Capability Of Aegis Demonstrated."] ''Space Daily'', 15 December 2010.</ref>

As of 2022, variations of the Aegis BMD system currently in service are the 4.x, 5.x and 6.x. The improved versions are equipped with advanced processors and software, as well as upgraded variants of the SM-3 interceptor missile.<ref name="naval-technology.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/aegis-ballistic-missile-defence-bmd-us/|title=Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}} BMD capable ships can have their BMD capabilities upgraded from earlier versions to later versions. BMD version 6.x comes with AN/SPY-6 radar in Flight III and Flight IIA destroyers.<ref name=RL33745>{{cite web|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=RL33745|title=Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (RL33745)|publisher=Congressional Research Service|date=2022-04-01|access-date=2022-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401000000/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=RL33745|archive-date=April 1, 2022|url-status=live}} [https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/RL33745.pdf Alt URL]</ref>

US Army [[United States Army Futures Command#Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System|Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System]] (IBCS) program will integrate [[MIM-104 Patriot]], [[NASAMS]], [[AN/TPY-2]] and [[F-35 Lightning II]] radars with Aegis radars to create a [[plug and fight]] network of land, sea, and air-based sensors and aid surface-to-air Patriot and [[THAAD]] launchers in anti-ballistic missile capabilities.

===SM-3, SM-2 Block IV, SM-6 and GPI interceptors===
[[File:SM-3 profile.png|thumb|right|SM-3 Interceptor profile]]
{{main|RIM-156 SM-2ER Block IV|RIM-161 Standard Missile 3|RIM-174 Standard ERAM}}

The Aegis BMD uses the [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3]] mid-course interceptors and the [[RIM-156 SM-2ER Block IV|RIM-156 Standard Extended Range Block IV]] (SM-2ER Block IV) terminal-phase interceptors developed by Raytheon. The Standard Missile 3 is a development of the SM2-ER Block IV, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles above the atmosphere (i.e., exo-atmospheric intercept) during the midcourse phase of a hostile ballistic missile's flight. The missile is launched from the [[Mk 41 Vertical Launching System]] (VLS) of the warships. It receives in-flight target updates from the ship. The kinetic warhead (KW) is designed to destroy a ballistic missile's warhead with more than 130 megajoules of kinetic energy by colliding with it. The existing SM-3 Block IA version will be upgraded to SM-3 Block IB, SM-3 Block IIA and SM-3 Block IIB to counter future ballistic missile threats.

The SM-2ER Block IV can engage the ballistic missiles within the atmosphere (i.e., endoatmospheric intercept) in the terminal phase of a missile's trajectory. The missile carries a blast fragmentation warhead. The SM-2ER Block IV was further developed in a new extended range active missile, [[RIM-174 Standard ERAM]] (Standard Missile 6), which adds an [[active radar homing]] seeker.<ref name="naval-technology.com"/> SM-6 is a dual-capability missile that can be used for either air defense (i.e., countering aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles) or terminal ballistic missile defense; it is not meant to replace the SM-2 series of missiles, but will serve alongside and provide extended range and increased firepower.<ref>Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr., [http://breakingdefense.com/2014/08/non-standard-navy-sm-6-kills-cruise-missiles-deep-inland/ "Non-Standard: Navy SM-6 Kills Cruise Missiles Deep Inland"] – Breakingdefense.com, 19 August 2014</ref> In January 2018 the Navy approved plans to develop a Dual Thrust Rocket Motor for the SM-6, with a larger 21-inch diameter to replace the current 13.5-inch propulsion package. The new rocket motor would sit atop the current 21-inch booster, producing a new variant of the missile: the SM-6 Block IB.<ref name="news.usni.org">{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2018/12/18/39724|title = Report to Congress on Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense|date = December 18, 2018}}</ref>

In March 2018 the MDA announced it "is evaluating the technical feasibility of the capability of the SM-3 Block IIA missile, currently under development, against an ICBM-class target. If proven to be effective against an ICBM, this missile could add a layer of protection, augmenting the currently deployed GMD system." The MDA plans to conduct a demonstration of the SM-3 Block IIA against an ICBM-like target by the end of 2020.<ref name="news.usni.org"/> On November 17, 2020, an SM-3 Block IIA missile successfully intercepted a threat-representative Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target in its mid-course phase of flight, reaffirming the capability to intercept non-separating, simple separating, and complex-separating ballistic missiles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/RL33745.pdf|title = SM-3 Block IIA Missile Excels in First Ever ICBM Intercept Test|date = November 17, 2020}}</ref>

[[Glide Phase Interceptor]] (GPI) will provide defense against [[hypersonic weapon]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/raytheon-moves-to-preliminary-design-for-glide-phase-interceptor-for-hypersonic-defense/ | title=Raytheon moves to preliminary design for Glide Phase Interceptor for hypersonic defense | date=September 21, 2022 }}</ref> Glide Phase Interceptor will be integrated with modified Baseline 9 Aegis Weapon System.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/mda-contracts-glide-phase-interceptor/ | title=US MDA awards contracts to continue developing Glide Phase Interceptor | date=June 27, 2022 }}</ref>

In 2024, the Patriot PAC-3 was successfully tested with the Aegis system.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2024-05-20-pac-3-mse-integrated-with-aegis-weapon-system-defeats-target-in-flight-test |title=PAC-3 MSE Integrated with Aegis Weapon System Defeats Target in Flight Test |publisher=Lockheed Martin |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

===Aegis Ashore===
[[File:190809-N-AW818-889C.jpg|thumb|right|NATO's Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense System (AABMDS) site in Romania]]
[[File:190812-N-AW818-875.jpg|thumb|right|NATO's Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense System (AABMDS) site in [[Redzikowo]], Poland]]
As of the [[2014 NATO Wales summit]] a land-based component, '''Aegis Ashore''', was being developed.<ref>See paragraph 57 of the Wales Summit Declaration.</ref> The first site to be declared operational was [[Deveselu]], Romania in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=LaGrone|first1=Sam|title=Aegis Ashore Site in Romania Declared Operational|url=https://news.usni.org/2016/05/12/aegis-ashore-site-in-romania-declared-operational|website=USNI News|publisher=United States Naval Institute|access-date=14 December 2017|date=12 May 2016}}</ref> This consists of equipment commonly used by the Navy being deployed in land-based facilities. This includes [[SPY-1 radar]]s and a battery of Standard Missile-3s. The [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration's]] plans call for two sites: the first in Romania at [[Deveselu Military Base|Deveselu]] that was opened in May 2015 and the second in [[Redzikowo]], Poland (originally planned for 2018, opened in summer 2024<ref name="Poland_2024" />). In 2020, both will get the latest versions of the Aegis BMD software and the latest version of the SM-3.<ref name="ashore">[http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/10/navy-aegis-ashore-land-based-spy-102310w/ Administration eyes land-based SPY], by Philip Ewing, Oct 24, 2010. {{dead link|date=April 2014}}</ref> Some radar facilities will be placed in Turkey at a future date.<ref>[http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr-news/188001-turkey-to-host-u-s-missile-defense Turkey to Host U.S. Missile Defense], PR Newswire, Oct. 18, 2010. {{dead link|date=April 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_ashore.html Aegis Ashore web page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131194253/http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_ashore.html |date=2016-01-31 }}, [[U.S. Missile Defense Agency]] official website.</ref><ref>[http://www.mda.mil/system/international_cooperation.html International Cooperation web page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201031525/http://mda.mil/system/international_cooperation.html |date=2016-02-01 }}, [[U.S. Missile Defense Agency]] official website.</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Inside Aegis Ashore | url=http://news.usni.org/2013/08/08/inside-aegis-ashore | work= News Blog | publisher= [[United States Naval Institute]] | date= 8 August 2013 | access-date=2013-09-03}}</ref>

On 21 May 2014, U.S. DOD headlined, "Standard Missile Completes First Test Launch from Aegis Ashore Test Site," and reported that: "The Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Navy, and sailors at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex and [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]] (PMRF), successfully conducted the first flight test involving components of the Aegis Ashore system. During the test, a simulated ballistic missile target was acquired, tracked, and engaged by the Aegis Weapon System. At approximately 7:35 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, May 20 (1:35 a.m. EDT, May 21), the Aegis Weapon System fired a Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block IB guided missile from the Vertical Launch System. Several fire control and engagement functions were exercised during the test. A live target missile launch was not planned for this flight test."

On 19 December 2017, the [[Cabinet of Japan]] approved a plan to purchase two Aegis Ashore systems equipped with the [[AN/SPY-7(V)1]], based on Lockheed Martin's [[LRDR]] to increase [[Japan]]'s self-defence capability against [[North Korea]], using [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3#Japan|SM-3 Block IIA]] missiles, and also could work with [[RIM-174 Standard ERAM|SM-6]] interceptors capable of shooting down cruise missiles.<ref name="Japan-AP">[https://www.defensenews.com/land/2017/12/19/japan-to-buy-aegis-ashore-missile-defense-systems/ Japan to buy Aegis Ashore missile defense systems], Mari Yamaguchi, [[The Associated Press]]/DefenseNews.com, 2017-12-20</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Japan to expedite study on adopting land-based Aegis system|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/29/national/japan-expedite-study-adopting-land-based-aegis-system/|access-date=15 January 2018|work=The Japan Times Online|date=29 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2019-11-14-U-S-Government-Designates-Lockheed-Martins-Latest-Generation-Radar-AN-SPY-7-V-1|title=U.S. Government Designates Lockheed Martin's Latest Generation Radar: AN/SPY-7(V)1 - Nov 14, 2019|website=Media - Lockheed Martin|language=en-us|access-date=2019-12-24}}</ref> The installation sites are at a [[Ground Self-Defense Force]] training area in Araya District, [[Akita Prefecture]] and the Mutsumi training area in [[Hagi, Yamaguchi|Hagi]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-boost-missile-defenses-record-military-budget-57520904 |title=Marie Yamaguchi, AP (Aug 31, 2018) Japan would boost missile defenses in record military budget |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831141855/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-boost-missile-defenses-record-military-budget-57520904 |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2152113/japans-defence-chief-seeks-local-support-deploy-land-based |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=[[The South China Morning Post]] |title=Japan's defence chief seeks local support to deploy a land-based missile shield |date=June 23, 2018}}</ref>

On 15 June 2020, Japanese Defense Minister [[Taro Kono]] announced that work had been halted on the deployment of the system because additional costs would be needed to ensure that residential buildings would not be hit by rocket boosters used to launch the missiles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kono suspends deployment of Aegis Ashore defense system|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13462150|access-date=2020-06-16|website=The Asahi Shimbun|language=en}}</ref> Later in the month Japan's [[National Security Council (Japan)|National Security Council]] confirmed the cancellation of the plan.<ref name=dn-20200625>{{cite news |url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/06/25/japan-confirms-its-scrapping-us-missile-defense-system/ |title=Japan confirms it's scrapping US missile defense system |last=Yamaguchi |first=Mari |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Gannett |work=DefenseNews |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=26 June 2020}}</ref> On 23 September 2020, Lockheed Martin commented that it would be expensive to potentially convert the AA system for maritime use since a revamp in the design is required.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200923/k10012630141000.html |title=ミサイル防衛装備の洋上配備「合理的でない」 米側が指摘 &#124; イージス・アショア &#124; Nhkニュース |website=www3.nhk.or.jp |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923073715/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200923/k10012630141000.html?utm_int=news-new_contents_list-items_057 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2020 [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[Philip S. Davidson]], the head of [[United States Indo-Pacific Command]] advised that he sought funding to construct an Aegis Ashore system in [[Guam]] by 2026 both to defend existing U.S. military facilities on Guam and to provide offensive "long-range precision strike capability into the [[First island chain|First Island Chain]]" dominated by China.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2020/07/indopacom-wants-billions-to-build-as-pentagon-plans-cuts-to-overseas-presence/|title=INDOPACOM Wants Billions To Build, As Pentagon Plans Cuts To Overseas Presence|publisher=Breaking Defense|author=Paul McLeary|date=23 July 2020|accessdate=7 March 2021}}</ref> Speaking in March 2021 Davidson said that the "Guam Defense System" of an Aegis Ashore Facility would free up three [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer]]s for service elsewhere. Davidson said that Chinese submarines and surface ships together with its ballistic missiles pose "a 360-degree threat" to Guam beyond the capabilities of the existing [[Terminal High Altitude Area Defense]] system on Guam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2021/03/04/davidson-aegis-ashore-on-guam-would-free-up-3-navy-destroyers|title=Davidson: Aegis Ashore on Guam Would 'Free Up' 3 Navy Destroyers|publisher=USNI News|author=Mallory Shelbourne|date=4 March 2021|accessdate=7 March 2021}}</ref>

===Developers and Contractors===
Notable subcontractors and technical experts include [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security]], [[Alliant Techsystems]] (ATK), [[Honeywell]], [[Engility]], [[Naval Surface Warfare Center]], [[Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego|SPAWAR Systems Center]], [[Johns Hopkins University]] [[Applied Physics Laboratory]] (JHU/APL), and the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] [[Lincoln Laboratory]] (Lincoln Lab).

==Deployment==
===Aegis Ashore===
The U.S., Romania and Poland have deployed the land based Aegis BMD. Test installation was built at the US [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]] in [[Hawaii]] in 2000s. A [[Deveselu Military Base|site]] in [[Deveselu]], [[Romania]] has been operational since 2016, while a site at [[Redzikowo]], [[Poland]] has been operational since the summer of 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=MDA - Aegis BMD|url=https://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_bmd.html|publisher=Missile Defense Agency|access-date=November 4, 2017|date=November 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Naval Support Facility Redizkowo, Poland, Trans |url=https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/3618612/the-aegis-ashore-missile-defense-system-in-naval-support-facility-redizkowo-pol/https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/News-Display/Article/3618612/the-aegis-ashore-missile-defense-system-in-naval-support-facility-redizkowo-pol/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="Poland_2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_227649.htm|title=NATO missile defence base in Poland now mission ready|date=July 10, 2024|accessdate=July 10, 2024|website=NATO}}</ref> Though Japan intended to deploy two sites which would use an [[AN/SPY-7]] AESA radar, these plans were cancelled in 2020. Possible deployments of Aegis Ashore include US Naval Base [[Guam]].<ref name=RL33745 />

===U.S. Navy Aegis BMD vessels===
As of October 2017, there were 5 {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|1}}s and 28 [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyers]] (DDGs 51–78) of the US Navy's ''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyers equipped with BMD in the U.S. Navy. Of the 33 ships, 17 are assigned to the Pacific Fleet and 16 to the Atlantic Fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_bmd.html|title=MDA - Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense|website=www.mda.mil|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref> The Navy's FY2015 30-year (FY2015-FY2043) shipbuilding plan projects that the total number of Aegis cruisers and destroyers will be between 80 and 97 during the 30-year period.<ref name="fas.org">{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL33745.pdf|title=Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>

{{USS|Carney|DDG-64}}, {{USS|Ross|DDG-71}}, and {{USS|Donald Cook|DDG-75}} were upgraded in fiscal year 2012, while {{USS|Cole|DDG-67}}, {{USS|McFaul|DDG-74}} and {{USS|Porter|DDG-78}} were upgraded in fiscal year 2013.

===Japanese Aegis BMD vessels===
[[File:Conceptual image of JMSDF ballistic missile defense ship, 23 December 2022.png|thumb|right|Artist's impression of future BMD ship (JSDF Photo)]]
[[File:JS Chokai（DDG-176）, USS CHANCELLORSVILLE（CG-62）and ROKS SEJONG DAEWANG（DDG-991）during Japan-U.S.-ROK Trilateral Exercise in the Sea of Japan.jpg|thumb|right|BMD maneuvers (October 6, 2022)]]
[[File:JS Haguro（DDG-180）launching SM-3 Block IB. Hawaii, Nov 19, 2022.jpg|thumb|right|JS ''Haguro''（DDG-180）launching SM-3 Block IB missile (November 19, 2022)]]
The [[JMSDF]] has equipped four ships of the ''Kongo''-class destroyers for LRST and engagement: {{JS|Kongo}}, {{JS|Chokai}}, {{JS|Myoko}}, and the {{JS|Kirishima}} (in 2010) (''See table below'').<ref>{{cite web
|title=Japan and Ballistic Missile Defense. RAND Report
|url=http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1374.html
|last1=Swaine
|first1=Michael D.
|author-link1=Michael D. Swaine
|first2=Rachel M.
|last2=Swanger
|first3=Takashi
|last3=Kawakami
|year=2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis
|title=The Logic of BMD Procurement in Japan (1994-2007)
|url=http://ora.ouls.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:73b6dc56-e10b-4bc4-abba-0abcd3a0d204
|first=Maxim
|last=Shabalin
|year=2011|publisher=Oxford University, UK
}}</ref> Japan's foreign minister, [[Hirofumi Nakasone]] and South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs, [[Yu Myung-hwan]], agreed that early April 5, 2009, launch<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-26 |title=North Korea Rocket Flew Over Japan, Government Says (Update1) - Bloomberg |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aK.TH7QUferU&refer=japan |access-date=2023-05-26 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026013147/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aK.TH7QUferU&refer=japan |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> of the North Korean Unha-2 satellite violated UN resolutions 1695 and 1718 of July 2006. Japan's cabinet examined approval of a JMSDF AEGIS BMD engagement in the event of a failure of the Taepondong launch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/KC05Dg01.html|title=Asia Times Online :: Korea News and Korean Business and Economy, Pyongyang News|date=March 5, 2009|accessdate=March 23, 2023|archive-date=March 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305083532/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/KC05Dg01.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120909150608/http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=03&year=2009&base_name=lets_shoot_something_down Let'S Shoot Something Down!]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkw_Pm4GLFW4c9Bxvz2TiZnxacqA | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731121657/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkw_Pm4GLFW4c9Bxvz2TiZnxacqA | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-07-31 | title=AFP: NKorea parliament to meet a day after rocket test }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-korea-north-japan-sb-idUSTRE52H0MG20090318|title=Japan to ready defense against N.Korea rocket: Kyodo|newspaper=Reuters |date=March 18, 2009|accessdate=March 23, 2023|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref> The Japanese government also noted that it could bypass cabinet for an interception under Article 82, Section 2, Paragraph 3 of the Self-Defence Forces law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090324p2a00m0na003000c.html |title=News |access-date=2009-03-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326060928/http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090324p2a00m0na003000c.html |archive-date=2009-03-26 }}></ref> In total, five AEGIS destroyers were deployed at that time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/03/205_42041.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323162146/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/03/205_42041.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 23, 2023|title=Allied Warships on Alert Over N. Korean Rocket Launch|date=March 26, 2009|website=koreatimes|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref> Supplemental to SM-3 capability the Japanese system incorporates an airborne component. Together discrimination between platform tests and satellite launches is possible by analyzing the angle of ascent.<ref>Union of Concerned Scientists: Unha-2 analysis, March 18, 2009</ref>

On August 31, 2022, the [[Japan Ministry of Defense]] announced that JMSDF will operate two "[[Aegis system equipped vessels (ASEV)|Aegis system equipped ships]]" (イージス・システム搭載艦 in Japanese) (''pictured'') to replace its earlier cancellation of the Aegis Ashore program, commissioning one ship by the end of fiscal year 2027, and the other by the end of FY2028. The budget for design and other related expenses are to be submitted in the form of "item requests", without specific amounts, and the initial procurement of the lead items are expected to clear legislation by FY2023. Construction is to begin in the following year of FY2024. When completed, at {{convert|20,000|LT|t|abbr=on}} each, the two warships will be the largest [[surface combatant]] ships operated by Japan.<ref name="Lia">{{Cite web |date=1 September 2022 |author=Lia Wong |title=Japanese Defense Budget Expansion Includes Two 20,000 Ton Cruisers |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/09/01/japanese-defense-budget-expansion-includes-two-20000-ton-cruisers/|website= Overt Defense |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="Mahadzir">{{Cite web |date=6 September 2022 |author= Dzirhan Mahadzir |title=Japan to Build Two 20,000-ton Missile Defense Warships, Indian Carrier Commissions |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/09/06/japan-to-build-two-massive-20000-ton-missile-defense-warships-indian-carrier-commissions#more-97081/|website= [[United States Naval Institute|USNI News Blog]] |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref><ref name=Yoshihiro>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2022 |author= Yoshihiro Inaba |title=Japan's New "Aegis Equipped Ships": What We Know So Far |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/09/01/japanese-defense-budget-expansion-includes-two-20000-ton-cruisers/|website= NavalNews |access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref>

On 6 October 2022, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a multilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the [[Sea of Japan]] (''pictured'') as part of the military response to [[2021–2022 North Korean missile tests|ongoing North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile tests over the Japanese home islands]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/10/06/warships-from-u-s-japan-south-korea-ballistic-missile-defense-drills-after-north-korean-missile-shots#more-97916 |title=UPDATED: Warships from U.S., Japan, South Korea Ballistic Missile Defense Drills After North Korean Missile Shots |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=October 6, 2022 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=October 11, 2022 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/10/us-navy-jmsdf-and-rok-navy-conduct-bmd-exercise/ |title= US Navy, JMSDF And ROK Navy Conduct BMD Exercise |last=|first=|date=October 6, 2022 |website=NavalNews.com |publisher= |access-date=October 25, 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

On 16 November 2022, the guided-missile destroyer {{JS|Maya|DDG-179|2}} fired an SM-3 Block IIA missile, successfully intercepting the target outside the atmosphere in the first launch of the missile from a Japanese warship. On 18 November 2022, the {{JS|Haguro|DDG-180|2}} likewise fired an SM-3 Block IB missile with a successful hit outside the atmosphere (''pictured''). Both test firings were conducted at the U.S. [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]] on [[Kauai Island]], Hawaii, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy and [[U.S. Missile Defense Agency]]. This was the first time the two ships conducted SM-3 firings in the same time period, and the tests validated the ballistic missile defense capabilities of Japan's newest {{sclass|Maya|destroyer|1}}s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/11/21/two-japanese-destroyers-score-in-ballistic-missile-defense-test-off-hawaii#more-99073 |title=Two Japanese Destroyers Score in Ballistic Missile Defense Test off Hawaii |last=Mahadzir |first=Dzirhan |date=November 21, 2022 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=November 22, 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

On 23 December 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Defense's 2023 budget and program guidance illustrated examples of operation (運用の一例) for the Aegis-equipped naval forces of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF). The two ASEV warship would be exclusively tasked for dedicated ballistic missile defense (BDM) missions (BMD等) and operate off the Korean peninsula in the [[Sea of Japan]], allowing the other Aegis guided-missile destroyers to meet other contingencies (侵攻阻止) while operating independently to keeping the [[sea lines of communication]] (SLOC) open in the [[East China Sea]] southwest of the Japanese home islands.<ref name="LaGrone2">{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2022/12/27/japanese-mod-releases-details-on-ballistic-missile-defense-ships#more-99887 |title=Japanese MoD Releases New Details on Ballistic Missile Defense Ships |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=December 27, 2022 |website=News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=January 3, 2023 |quote=}}</ref><ref name="NavalNewsStaff1">{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/12/japanese-mod-releases-further-details-of-asev-bmd-destroyers/ |title=Japanese MoD Releases Further Details About Its Future BMD Destroyers |last= |first= |date=December 25, 2022 |website=Naval News |publisher= |access-date=January 3, 2023 |quote=}}</ref><ref name="Helfrich">{{cite web |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/first-rendering-of-japans-ballistic-missile-defense-ship-concept-released |title=First Rendering Of Japan's Ballistic Missile Defense Ship Concept Released |last=Emma |first=Helfrich |date=December 29, 2022 |website=The Drive |publisher= |access-date=January 3, 2023 |quote=}}</ref><ref name="MOD12232022">{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/yosan/yosan_gaiyo/2023/yosan_20221223.pdf |title=Defense Programs and Budget of Japan FY Reiwa 5 (2023) Budget Overview |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= December 23, 2022 |website=Budget overview |publisher=[[Japanese Ministry of Defense]] |page=15 |access-date=2023-01-09 |quote=Japanese}}</ref>
;List of JMSDF Aegis Afloat ships (Aegis BMD vessels)
{| class="wikitable"
! Name !!style="line-height:1.2em;"| Hull Pennant No. !! Builder/Shipyard !! Aegis Radar !! [[Anti-Ballistic Missile]] !! Vertical Launchers !! Commissioned !! Home port !! Flotilla !! Squadron !! Status
|-
|colspan=11 style="background: #80D8FF;text-align:center;"|{{sclass|Maya|destroyer|4}}
|-
| {{JS|Maya|DDG-179|6}}
| DDG-179
| [[Japan Marine United|JMU, Yokohama]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D(V)]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 96 cells (total)
| 19 March 2020
| [[Yokosuka]]
| Escort Flotilla 1
| Escort Squadron 1
| Active
|-
| {{JS|Haguro|DDG-180|6}}
| DDG-180
| [[Japan Marine United|JMU, Yokohama]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D(V)]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 96 cells (total)
| 19 March 2021
| [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]]
| Escort Flotilla 4
| Escort Squadron 8
| Active
|-
|colspan=11 style="background: #80D8FF;text-align:center;"|{{sclass|Atago|destroyer|4}}
|-
| {{JDS|Atago|DDG-177|6}}
| DDG-177
| [[Japan Marine United|JMU, Yokohama]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D(V)]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 96 cells (total)
| 15 March 2007
| [[Maizuru, Kyoto|Maizuru]]
| Escort Flotilla 3
| Escort Squadron 3
| Active
|-
| {{JDS|Ashigara|DDG-178|6}}
| DDG-178
| [[Japan Marine United|JMU, Yokohama]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D(V)]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 96 cells (total)
| 13 March 2008
| [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]]
| Escort Flotilla 2
| Escort Squadron 2
| Active
|-
|colspan=11 style="background: #80D8FF;text-align:center;"|{{sclass|Kongō|destroyer|4}}
|-
| {{JDS|Kongō|DDG-173|2}}
| DDG-173
| [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D]] [[Passive electronically scanned array|PESA]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 90 cells (total)
| 25 March 1993
| [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]]
| Escort Flotilla 1
| Escort Squadron 5:
| Active
|-
| {{JDS|Kirishima|DDG-174|2}}
| DDG-174
| [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D]] [[Passive electronically scanned array|PESA]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 90 cells (total)
| 16 March 1995
| [[Yokosuka, Kanagawa|Yokosuka]]
| Escort Flotilla 2
| Escort Squadron 6
| Active
|-
| {{JDS|Myōkō|DDG-175|2}}
| DDG-175
| [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D]] [[Passive electronically scanned array|PESA]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 90 cells (total)
| 14 March 1996
| [[Maizuru, Kyoto|Maizuru]]
| Escort Flotilla 3
| Escort Squadron 3
| Active
|-
| {{JDS|Chōkai|DDG-176|2}}
| DDG-176
| [[IHI Corporation]]
| [[AN/SPY-1|AN/SPY-1D]] [[Passive electronically scanned array|PESA]]
| [[RIM-161 Standard|SM-3 Standard missile]]
| [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41]]: 90 cells (total)
| 20 March 1998
| [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]]
| Escort Flotilla 4
| Escort Squadron 8
| Active
|-
|}

===Joint BMD patrols===
In early October 2022, five warships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea held a ballistic missile defense exercise (''pictured'') in the Sea of Japan as part of the ongoing military response to ongoing North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile tests over the Japanese home islands.<ref name="auto"/>

==Political debate==
Tom Laliberty of Raytheon said that President [[Barack Obama]] was forced to shift from a land based missile defense system to a sea based one because of the difficulties of coordinating with partner nations.<ref>Daniel Terdiman, [https://www.cnet.com/culture/inside-the-navys-next-generation-destroyer/ "Inside the Navy's next-generation destroyer"], CNET, August 4, 2010</ref> Also, the U.S. Defense Department has said it would be just one component of a wider defense which might also include ground-based facilities.<ref name="economist">[http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14515370 New missile defences in Europe:Shooting down a plan], ''Economist'', Sept 24th 2009. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928071359/http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14515370|date=September 28, 2009}}</ref>

A Navy panel headed by retired Vice Adm. Phillip Balisle has asserted that since the late 1990s there has been an over-emphasis on saving money, including cuts in crews and streamlined training and maintenance, which has led to a drastic decline in readiness, and has left Aegis combat systems in low state of readiness.<ref>[http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/07/navy_aegis_070510w/ Study says Aegis radar systems on the decline], By Philip Ewing, ''Navy Times'', Wednesday Jul 7, 2010.</ref> And in spite of a reduction in the objective for the number of Aegis armed warships to field, the U.S. Navy will still fall short of this reduced objective under the fiscal year for 2012 shipbuilding plan for the next 30 years.<ref>O'Rourke, Ronald. [https://archive.today/20121217163908/https://opencrs.com/document/RL32109/2012-10-18/?26909 "CRS RL32109 - Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress."] Congressional Research Service, 18 October 2012.</ref>

==International reaction==

The Russian government has claimed that the system is "fueling a new arms race", and is constructed "on ridiculous fabricated pretexts" of protection against non-existent threats of the so-called [[rogue states]]. [[Dmitry Rogozin]], the Deputy Prime Minister of the [[Russian Government|Russian government]], said in 2012 that the country would "react in the sharpest manner" to any American ships armed with the system found near their shores.<ref>[http://en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20121112/177392816.html "Russia will 'React Sharply' to US Aegis Ships – Deputy PM."] ''Ria Novosti'', 12 November 2012.</ref>

==Other capabilities==
{{main|USA 193#Destruction}}
The Aegis BMD system, coupled with the [[RIM-161 Standard]] missile (SM-3), has also demonstrated a limited capability as an [[anti-satellite weapon]] against satellites in the lower portion of [[low Earth orbit]]. On February 20, 2008, [[USA 193]] was destroyed by a group of Aegis ships in the Pacific; the stated reason was concern that satellite's [[hydrazine]] payload might contaminate land area upon re-entry from an uncontrolled orbit. The launching vessel was {{USS|Lake Erie|CG-70|6}}, and one SM-3 missile was used. Interception was at an altitude of 133 nautical miles (247&nbsp;kilometers).

==Target for simulating endo-atmospheric flight of DF-21 ASBM==
{{One source||date=May 2022}}
According to a Congressional Research Service report dated July 31, 2014,<ref name="RL33745"/> the lack of a test target simulating the Chinese [[DF-21]] ASBM is highlighted.
<blockquote>
A threat representative Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) target for operational open-air testing has become an immediate test resource need. China is fielding the DF-21D ASBM, which threatens U.S. and allied surface warships in the Western Pacific. While the Missile Defense Agency has exo-atmospheric targets in development, no program currently exists for an endo-atmospheric target. The endo-atmospheric ASBM target is the Navy's responsibility, but it is not currently budgeted. The Missile Defense Agency estimates the non-recurring expense to develop the exo-atmospheric target was $30 million with each target costing an additional $30 million; the endo-atmospheric target will be more expensive to produce according to missile defense analysts. Numerous Navy acquisition programs will require an ASBM surrogate in the coming years, although a limited number of targets (3-5) may be sufficient to validate analytical models
</blockquote>

The December 2012 report from DOT&E (i.e., DOT&E's annual report for FY2012) did not further discuss this issue; a January 21, 2013, press report stated that this is because the details of the issue are classified.

The U.S. arsenal has a "variety of potential countermeasures" and the "kill chain" of for example a potential [[Deng Feng 21D|DF-21D]] attack would be so "complicated" that it would provide a "number of opportunities to defeat the attack". He also stated that unless one country integrates an "entire system of systems" to make this work, the missile itself would be pretty "useless".<ref name="The Diplomat">{{cite news|title=Behind the China Missile Hype|url=https://thediplomat.com/2012/01/20/behind-the-china-missile-hype/?all=true|access-date=29 July 2012|newspaper=The Diplomat|date=20 January 2012}}</ref>
<blockquote>"Some countries might buy them just to impress their neighbors, but their combat effectiveness would be negligible unless the country also invested in the needed detection, data processing, and communications systems".<ref name="The Diplomat"/> - Roger Cliff</blockquote>

A December 16, 2016, press report states the following:<ref name=RL33745/>
<blockquote>The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said its new Sea Based Terminal (SBT) system achieved its second ballistic missile intercept during a Dec. 14 test over the Pacific Ocean.
During the test, the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53)... fired a salvo of two Raytheon [RTN] Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptors in immediate succession against a medium-range ballistic missile target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii. The first interceptor was not armed and was designed to collect test data, MDA said. The second interceptor, which carried an explosive warhead, intercepted the Lockheed Martin-built target….</blockquote>

MDA called the target "complex" but declined to elaborate. However, according to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, the target emulated China's Dong-Feng 21 (DF-21), a ballistic missile equipped with a maneuverable re-entry vehicle and designed to destroy U.S., aircraft carriers. The event, designated Flight Test Standard Missile-27 (FTM-27), was SBT's first salvo test and its second intercept in as many tries.<ref name="news.usni.org"/>

In March 2020, Mike Griffin, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, revealed that SM-6 missile was being considered for hypersonic defense and that there are plans to test it against an actual hypersonic boost-glide vehicle in the 2023 Fiscal Year.<ref name=thedrive-sm6-hypersonic>Joseph Trevithick. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40178/navy-sm-6-missile-will-attempt-to-swat-down-a-mock-hypersonic-weapon Navy SM-6 Missile Will Attempt To Swat Down A Mock Hypersonic Weapon]. The Drive. April 14, 2021</ref>

An April 14, 2021 press report stated:<ref name=RL33745/>
<blockquote>The Missile Defense Agency, together with the U.S. Navy, plan to test an SM-6 missile against an "advanced maneuvering threat," a term that has been used in relation to unpowered hypersonic boost-glide vehicles, later this year. The Pentagon says that unspecified versions of the SM-6 have already demonstrated some degree of capability against these types of weapons, examples of which Russia and China have already begun putting to service. A new variant of the SM-6, the Block IB, is already under development and will itself be able to reach hypersonic speeds. Barbara McQuiston, a senior U.S. official currently performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, including mention of the scheduled SM-6 test in her testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense yesterday…. </blockquote>

==Flight tests to date==
As of April 2024, Aegis BMDS has performed 45 successful intercepts in 54 attempts against ballistic missile targets.<ref name="mda.mil"/>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! width=120|Date
! Result
! class="unsortable" |Description<ref name="CDI IFT">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdi.org/pdfs/gmd%20ift2.pdf |title=Missile Defense Integrated Test Flights |publisher=Center for Defense Information |date=18 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414164509/http://www.cdi.org/pdfs/gmd%20ift2.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=DOTE_FY2012>{{cite web |url=http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2012/pdf/bmds/2012gmd.pdf |title=Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) |publisher=U.S. Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation |page=288 |date=2012 |access-date=7 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091204/http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2012/pdf/bmds/2012gmd.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=test_record>{{cite web|url=http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/testrecord.pdf |title=Ballistic Missile Defense Intercept Flight Test Record |publisher=Missile Defense Agency |date=8 July 2013 |access-date=8 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911154309/http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/testrecord.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2013 }}</ref>
|-
|CTV-1
|{{dts|1997|Sept|26}}
|{{Failure}}
|The first flight test for the Navy Theater Wide program's Control Test Vehicle-1 (CTV-1) was on September 26, 1997, using a SM-2 Block IV missile modified for exo-atmospheric flight and launched from {{USS|Russell|DDG-59|6}}. The missile self-destructed soon after launch after veering off course. The root cause of this problem was a defect in the Navy's existing SM-2 Block IV ordnance, not any guidance modifications for high-altitude flight. The Navy and BMDO thus characterized the flight as a "No-Test".
|-
|CTV-1A
|{{dts|1999|Sep|24}}
|{{Success}}
|The next flight for Raytheon's SM-3 came on September 24, 1999, during Control Test Vehicle (CTV)-1A (Codename: Stellar Phoenix). CTV-1a was a test of the first and second stage of the SM-3. The mission was considered a success. {{USS|Shiloh|CG-67|6}} was the launching ship.
|-
|FTR-1
|{{dts|2000|Jul|8}}
|{{Failure}}
|The next mission was conducted in July 2000 and designated Flight Test Round (FTR-1) (Codename: Stellar Archer). This mission ended in failure when the Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM) failed to separate from the second stage. USS ''Shiloh'' was the launching ship.
|-
|FTR-1A
|{{dts|2001|Jan|25}}
|{{Success}}
|FTR-1a (Codename: Stellar Gemini) was conducted on January 25, 2001. This mission would be the first time a live unitary target was engaged by the Aegis BMD system. The test target was launched from the U.S. Navy's [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]] located on the Hawaiian island of [[Kauai]].

FTR-1a would demonstrate exo-atmospheric avionics operation of the SM-3 Kinetic Warhead (KW) and the real-time performance of the Aegis BMD AN/SPY-1 radar. At the time this test was conducted, the KW's propulsion system, the Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS), was still being developed. Total system operation was demonstrated in FM-2. The mission was considered successful when the KW acquired and tracked the test target for several seconds. {{USS|Lake Erie|CG-70|6}} was the launching ship.
|-
|FM-2
|{{dts|2002|Jan|25}}
|{{Success}}
|The purpose of Flight Mission (FM)-2 (codename: Stellar Eagle) was to characterize the Aegis Weapon System and Standard Missile 3 interceptor. The mission was not required to intercept the target. On January 25, 2002, an SM-3 launched from USS ''Lake Erie'' collided with a test target northeast of the island of Kauai. This mission was the first interception of a ballistic missile from a sea-based platform.
|-
|FM-3
|{{dts|2002|Jun|13}}
|{{Success}}
|Aegis BMD succeeded in intercepting a unitary target missiles launched from PMRF during FM-3 (Codename: Stellar Impact). USS ''Lake Erie'' was the firing ship. This mission marked the successful completion of the Aegis LEAP Intercept program. June 13, 2002 was also the date that the United States withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty), which limited the development of a strategic anti-ballistic missile system (to be considered strategic Aegis would need capability against the current Russian ICBMs and SLBMs).
|-
|FM-4
|{{dts|2001|Nov|21}}
|{{Success}}
|Aegis BMD intercepted a unitary ballistic missile during FM-4 (codename: Stellar Viper). FM-4 was the first Aegis BMD test to conduct the "aimpoint shift" maneuver. The aimpoint shift increases the probability that the ballistic missile ordnance will be destroyed at intercept. USS ''Lake Erie'' was the launching ship.
|-
|FM-5
|{{dts|2003|Jun|18}}
|{{Failure}}
|On June 18, 2003, the FM-5 mission (codename: Stellar Hammer) resulted in the first test failure of an operational Aegis BMD system. During the test, the SDACS propulsion system used to guide the SM-3's kinetic warhead suffered a malfunction after ignition. It is important to note that prior to the rocket motor failure the SM-3 kinetic warhead was on an intercept course with the test target. USS ''Lake Erie'' was the firing ship.
|-
|FM-6
|{{dts|2003|Dec|11}}
|{{Success}}
|The next mission, Codename: Stellar Defender, implemented a modification to the SDACS design so as not to endanger the warhead's ability to intercept. This override allowed the KW to navigate with reduced (but no less lethal) capability. FM-6 once again featured a successful interception. USS ''Lake Erie'' was the firing ship.
|-
|FTM-04-1
|{{dts|2005|Feb|24}}
|{{Success}}
|After the FM-6 mission, the Missile Defense Agency implemented a change to the flight test naming convention for all subsequent ABMD flight tests. According to MDA the new convention better reflected the program's position within the Block 2004/2006 schema of development. The new name, Flight Test Mission (FTM) 04-1 (codename: Stellar Dragon), indicated that this would be the first flight test under the Block 2004 development cycle for Aegis BMD. The flight test demonstrated yet again the system's ability to destroy an enemy ballistic missile. USS ''Lake Erie'' was the firing ship.
|-
|FTM-04-2
|{{dts|2005|Nov|17}}
|{{Success}}
|Codename Stellar Valkyrie, this was the first mission to utilize a target missile with a separating warhead. This new target missile, termed a Medium Range Target (MRT) more closely resembled real world threat missiles, but the SM-3 Block I missile was not fooled and intercepted the warhead to score the sixth interception for the program out of seven tries on November 17, 2005. USS ''Lake Erie'' was the firing ship.
|-
|FTM-10
|{{dts|2006|Jun|23}}
|{{Success}}
|The FTM-10 test target was the MRT with a separating warhead. USS ''Shiloh'' was the launching ship and utilized the Aegis Weapon System version 3.6 for the first time. This test was the first to feature the latest model of the SM-3, the Block Ia. The mission was considered a success when the KW tracked, selected and intercepted the MRT reentry vehicle (RV).

FTM-10 marked the first time another country participated in a sea-based anti-ballistic missile exercise. The Japanese government was interested in purchasing a system similar to Aegis BMD to deter potential threats and was invited to participate in the FTM-10 exercise. The Japanese naval vessel {{ship|JDS|Kirishima|DDG-174|6}} (a {{sclass|Kongō|destroyer|1}}) was stationed off the coast of [[Pacific Missile Range Facility|PMRF]] and observed all FTM-10 events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jun/23/ln/FP606230368.html|title=Missile passes another test &#124; The Honolulu Advertiser &#124; Hawaii's Newspaper|website=the.honoluluadvertiser.com|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-11
|{{dts|2006|Dec|7}}
|{{Failure}}
|The Aegis Weapon System failed to engage the test target and never launched the interceptor. The cause of the failure, an on-board error, was discovered and corrected prior to the retest of FTM-11 test flight. USS ''Lake Erie'' was the firing ship.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/06fyi0090.pdf Chris Taylor, (December 7, 2006), "For Your Information", Missile Defense Agency] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207045650/http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/06fyi0090.pdf |date=February 7, 2007 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-11 Event 4
|{{dts|2007|Apr|26}}
|{{Success}}
|Aegis BMD successfully intercepted its eighth target in ten attempts. This test marked the 27th successful "Hit-to-Kill" intercept (for all MDA systems) since 2001. USS ''Lake Erie'' was the launching ship and utilized the Aegis 3.6 Weapon System. The interceptor was the SM-3 Block-Ia. This test not only demonstrated the ability of ABMD to intercept a ballistic missile but also demonstrated ''Lake Erie''{{'}}s ability to simultaneously track and intercept antiship missiles. This test also utilized the [[Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS)]], in the full pulse configuration.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/07news0032.pdf Chris Taylor (April 26, 2007). "Successful Sea-Based Missile Defense 'Hit-to-Kill' Intercept".] Missile Defense Agency. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714022452/http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/07news0032.pdf |date=July 14, 2009 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-11A
|{{dts|2007|Aug|31}}
|{{Success}}
|Classified flight test.<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/aegis_tests.pdf Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Testing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728093623/http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/aegis_tests.pdf |date=2014-07-28 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-12
|{{dts|2007|Jun|22}}
|{{Success}}
|{{USS|Decatur|DDG-73|6}}, using the operationally certified Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Weapon System (BMD 3.6) and the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA missile, successfully performed a "hit to kill" intercept of a separating, medium range, ballistic missile. The target missile was launched from the [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]] on Kauai, Hawaii. The {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|0}} cruiser {{USS|Port Royal|CG-73|6}}, Spain's {{sclass|Álvaro de Bazán|frigate|1}} {{ship|Spanish frigate|Méndez Núñez||2}}, and MDA's [[Terminal High Altitude Area Defense]] (THAAD) mobile ground-based radar also participated in the flight test. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROxlvOCyzww FTM-12] (Codename: Stellar Athena) was the first to use an {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}} as the launching ship.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/07news0037.pdf Chris Taylor (June 22, 2007). "Sea-Based Missile Defense 'Hit-to-Kill' Intercept Achieved". 'Missile Defense Agency News Release'.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711232017/http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/07news0037.pdf |date=July 11, 2007 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-13
|{{dts|2007|Nov|6}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' launched two interceptors off the island of Kauai, Hawaii, engaging two short-range ballistic missile targets almost simultaneously.
|-
|FTM-14
|{{dts|2008|Jun|6}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully intercepted a terminal phase target with a modified SM-2 Block IV interceptor. The aim of this mission was to test the interception and destruction of a short range ballistic missile target launched from a mobile launch platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37682|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805052618/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37682|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2012|title=Successful Sea-Based Missile Defense Intercept|accessdate=March 23, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-15
|{{dts|2011|Apr|15}}
|{{Success}}
|The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), {{USS|O'Kane|DDG-77|6}}, and the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command operating from the 613th Air and Space Operations Center at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System, resulting in the intercept of a separating ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean. FTM-15, was the most challenging test to date, as it was the first Aegis BMD version 3.6.1 intercept against an intermediate-range target (range 1,864 to 3,418 miles) and the first Aegis BMD 3.6.1 engagement relying on remote tracking data. The ability to use remote radar data to engage a threat ballistic missile greatly increases the battle space and defended area of the SM-3 missile.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/11news0007.html Sea-based Missile Defense Flight Test Results in Successful Intercept] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330025610/http://www.mda.mil/news/11news0007.html |date=2012-03-30 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-16 Event 1
|{{dts|2011|Mar|15|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully tracked a ballistic missile target. In addition to the BMD mission, ''Lake Erie'' also validated the ship's anti-air warfare (AAW) capability by destroying an incoming anti-ship cruise missile target with an SM-2 Block III missile in a live firing exercise. This was the first event in which a ship used BMD 4.0.1 Weapon System to engage an AAW threat.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis-future-capabilities.html Aegis Future Capabilities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001155217/http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis-future-capabilities.html |date=2014-10-01 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-16 Event 2
|{{dts|2011|Sep|1|}}
|{{Failure}}
|A short-range ballistic missile target was launched from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii. Approximately 90 seconds later, a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block 1B interceptor missile was launched from USS ''Lake Erie'' but an intercept of the target was not achieved. The failure was due to a third-stage rocket motor pulse failure.<ref name="mda.mil">{{Cite web |url=https://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/testrecord.pdf |title=Test record |access-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-date=September 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927155243/https://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/testrecord.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/11news0016.html Sea-Based Missile Defense Test Conducted] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804074703/http://www.mda.mil/news/11news0016.html |date=2014-08-04 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-16 Event 2A
|{{dts|2012|May|9|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the first intercept of a short-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by the Navy's newest Missile Defense interceptor, the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IB.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0007.html Second-Generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Completes Successful Intercept Flight Test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017045620/http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0007.html |date=2014-10-17 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-17
|{{dts|2009|Jul|30|}}
|{{Success}}
|{{USS|Hopper|DDG-70|6}}, detected, tracked, fired and guided a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block (Blk) IA to intercept a sub-scale short range ballistic missile.<ref name="mda.mil" /><ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/09news0015.html Second-Generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Completes Second Successful Intercept Flight Test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017054735/http://www.mda.mil/news/09news0015.html |date=2014-10-17 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-18
|{{dts|2012|Jun|27|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the intercept of a separating ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by the Navy's newest missile defense interceptor missile, the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IB. The test event was the second consecutive successful intercept test of the SM-3 Block IB missile and the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system. The first successful SM-3 Block IB intercept occurred on May 9, 2012.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0008.html Second-Generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Completes Second Successful Intercept Flight Test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220212221/http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0008.html |date=2013-02-20 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2012/june/aegis-ballistic-missile-defense-system-success.html Lockheed Martin's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Successfully Intercepts Second Target This Year]</ref>
|-
|FTM-19
|{{dts|2013|May|16|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully conducted a flight test today of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the intercept of a separating ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by the Aegis BMD 4.0 Weapon System and a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IB missile. This test exercised the latest version of the second-generation Aegis BMD Weapon System and Standard Missile, providing capability for engagement of longer-range and more sophisticated ballistic missiles.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/13news0005.html Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Completes Successful Intercept Flight Test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728081501/http://www.mda.mil/news/13news0005.html |date=2014-07-28 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-20
|{{dts|2013|Feb|13|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA guided missile. The in-orbit Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrators (STSS-D) detected and tracked the target, and forwarded track data to USS ''Lake Erie''. The ship, equipped with the second-generation Aegis BMD weapon system, used Launch on Remote doctrine to engage the target. This event, designated Flight Test Standard Missile 20 (FTM-20), was a demonstration of the ability of space-based assets to provide mid-course fire control quality data to an Aegis BMD ship, extending the battlespace, providing the ability for longer range intercepts and defense of larger areas.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/13news0002.html Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Intercepts Target Using Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrators (STSS-D) Data] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017044627/http://www.mda.mil/news/13news0002.html |date=2014-10-17 }}</ref>
|-
|FTO-1
|{{dts|2013|Sep|10|}}
|{{Success}}
|FTO-01 was conducted in the vicinity of the U.S. Army [[Kwajalein Atoll]] [[Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site]] and surrounding areas in the western Pacific. The test stressed the ability of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems to function in a layered defense architecture and defeat a raid of two near-simultaneous ballistic missile targets. USS ''Decatur'' with its Aegis Weapon System detected and tracked the first target with its onboard AN/SPY-1 radar. The Aegis BMD weapon system developed a fire control solution, launched a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA missile, and successfully intercepted the target.<ref name="DoD"/>

In a demonstration of BMDS layered defense capabilities, a second AN/TPY-2 radar in Terminal Mode, located with the THAAD weapon system, acquired and tracked the target missiles. THAAD developed a fire control solution, launched a THAAD interceptor missile, and successfully intercepted the second medium-range ballistic missile target. THAAD was operated by soldiers from the Alpha Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment. As a planned demonstration of THAAD's layered defense capabilities, a second THAAD interceptor was launched at the target destroyed by Aegis as a contingency in the event the SM-3 did not achieve an intercept.<ref name="DoD">{{cite web|url=https://www.mda.mil/news/15news0008.html|title=Ballistic Missile Defense System Demonstrates Layered Defense While Conducting Multiple Engagements in Operational Test|date=November 1, 2015|publisher=US Department of Defense|access-date=16 September 2016}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-21
|{{dts|2013|Sep|18|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully conducted a flight test today of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the intercept of a complex separating short-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by the Aegis BMD 4.0 Weapon System and a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IB guided missile. This was an operationally realistic test, in which the target's launch time and bearing are not known in advance, and the target complex was the most difficult target engaged to date.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/13news0008.html Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Completes Successful Intercept Flight Test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815203727/http://www.mda.mil/news/13news0008.html |date=2014-08-15 }}</ref>
|-
|FTM-22
|{{dts|2013|Oct|3|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully conducted an operational flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by the Aegis BMD 4.0 Weapon System and a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IB guided missile. FTM-22 is the 28th successful intercept in 34 flight test attempts for the Aegis BMD program since flight testing began in 2002. Across all Ballistic Missile Defense System programs, this is the 64th successful hit-to-kill intercept in 80 flight test attempts since 2001.
|-
|FTM-31 E1a
|{{dts|2023|Mar|30}}
|{{Success}}
|The {{USS|Daniel Inouye}} (DDG 118) successfully executed Test FTM-31 E1a. The test highlights adjustments made after FTM-31 E1 (May 2021) which did not meet all its objectives; this test validates that the upgraded Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Dual II SWUP capability is now ready for use by the warfighter.<ref name= ftm31E1a >Mark Wright, Missile Defense Agency Public Affairs [https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3348275/mda-test-successfully-intercepts-ballistic-missile-target/ (31 Mar 2023) MDA Test Successfully Intercepts Ballistic Missile Target]</ref>
|-
|Stellar Daggers
|{{dts|2009|Mar|26|}}
|{{Success}}
|{{USS|Benfold|DDG-65|6}} simultaneously engaged an SRBM in terminal phase and a cruise missile using SM-2s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43808 |title= Navy Completes Air and Ballistic Missile Exercise|website=www.news.navy.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410073647/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=43808 |archive-date=April 10, 2009}}</ref>
|-
|JFTM-1
|{{dts|2007|Dec|18|}}
|{{Success}}
|The JFTM-1 test event verified the new engagement capability of the Aegis BMD configuration of the recently upgraded Japanese destroyer, {{ship|JS|Kongō}}. At approximately 12:05 pm (HST), 7:05 am Tokyo time on December 18, 2007, a ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. JS ''Kongō'' crew members detected and tracked the target. The Aegis Weapon System then developed a fire control solution and at approximately 12:08 pm (HST), 7:08 am Tokyo time, a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA was launched. Approximately three minutes later, the SM-3 successfully intercepted the target approximately 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/07news0053.pdf Japan/U.S. Missile Defense Flight Test Successful] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220130/http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/07news0053.pdf |date=2016-03-03 }}</ref>
|-
|JFTM-2
|{{dts|2008|Nov|19|}}
|{{Failure}}
|JFTM-2 was a test of the newest engagement capability of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense configuration of the recently upgraded Japanese destroyer, {{ship|JS|Chōkai|DDG-176|6}}. At approximately 4:21 pm (HST), 11:21 am (Tokyo time) a ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. JS ''Chōkai'' crew members detected and tracked the target using an advanced on-board radar. The Aegis Weapon System then developed a fire control solution, and at approximately 4:24 pm (HST), 11:24 am (Tokyo time) on Nov 20, a single Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA was launched. Approximately two minutes later, the SM-3 failed to intercept the target. The cause of the failure was an SM-3 Block IA interceptor divert and attitude control malfunction.<ref name="mda.mil" /><ref>[http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/08news0087.pdf Japan/U.S. Missile Defense Flight Test Completed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031207/http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/08news0087.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }}</ref>
|-
|JFTM-3
|{{dts|2008|Nov|19|}}
|{{Success}}
|The JFTM-3 test event verified the newest engagement capability of the Japan Aegis BMD configuration of the recently upgraded Japanese destroyer, {{ship|JS|Myōkō|DDG-175|6}}. At approximately 6:00pm (HST), 1:00 pm Tokyo time on October 28, a separating, medium-range ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. JS ''Myōkō'' crew members detected and tracked the target. The Aegis Weapon System then developed a fire control solution and, at approximately 6:04pm (HST), 1:04 pm Tokyo time a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA interceptor missile was launched. Approximately three minutes later, the SM-3 successfully intercepted the target approximately 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/09news0021.html Japan/U.S. Missile Defense Flight Test Successful] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017060830/http://www.mda.mil/news/09news0021.html |date=2014-10-17 }}</ref>
|-
|JFTM-4
|{{dts|2010|Oct|28|}}
|{{Success}}
|The JFTM-4 test event verified the newest engagement capability of the Japan Aegis BMD configuration of the recently upgraded Japanese destroyer, JS ''Krishima''. At approximately 5:06&nbsp;p.m. (HST), 12:06&nbsp;p.m. Tokyo time on October 29, 2010, a separating 1,000&nbsp;km class ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii.

JS ''Kirishima'' crew members detected and tracked the target. The Aegis Weapon System then developed a fire control solution and launched a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA missile. Approximately three minutes later, the SM-3 successfully intercepted the target approximately 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean.<ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/10news0016.html Joint Japan-U.S. Missile Defense Flight Test Successful] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017054104/http://www.mda.mil/news/10news0016.html |date=2014-10-17 }}</ref>
|-
|FTI-01
|{{dts|2012|Oct|25|}}
|{{Failure}}
|The live-fire demonstration, conducted at U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site, Hickam AFB, and surrounding areas in the western Pacific, stressed the performance of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), THAAD, and PATRIOT (PAC-3) weapon systems. {{USS|Fitzgerald|DDG-62|6}} successfully engaged a low flying cruise missile over water. The Aegis system also tracked and launched an SM-3 Block 1A interceptor against a Short-Range Ballistic Missile. However, despite indication of a nominal flight of the SM-3 Block 1A interceptor, there was no indication of an intercept of the SRBM. The failure was attributed to an Inertial Measurement Unit failure.<ref name="mda.mil" /><ref>[http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0011.html Ballistic Missile Defense System Engages Five Targets Simultaneously During Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216022117/http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0011.html |date=2013-02-16 }}</ref>
|-
|Pacific BlitZ
|{{dts|2008|Nov|1|}}
|{{partial}}
|Pacific Blitz was the first U.S. Navy proficiency firing to employ the [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3|SM-3]] missile against a ballistic missile target. During the Fleet Exercise "Pacific Blitz", two Pearl Harbor-based Aegis BMD destroyers, {{USS|Paul Hamilton|DDG-60|6}} and USS ''Hopper'' fired SM-3 missiles at separate targets. Upon detecting and tracking the target, USS ''Paul Hamilton'' launched an SM-3 missile resulting in a direct hit. USS ''Hopper'' successfully detected, monitored and fired at the second target, but the interceptor missed. The cause of the failure was attributed to an infrared seeker failure.<ref name="mda.mil" /><ref>[http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_warfighter.html Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Warfighter] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022204132/http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_warfighter.html |date=2012-10-22 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-navy-missile-defense-test-shoots-one-for-two/ U.S. Navy Missile Defense Test Shoots One-For-Two]</ref>
|-
|Pacific Phoenix
|{{dts|2006|May|6|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''Lake Erie'' successfully intercepted a Unitary short-range target.<ref name="mda.mil" /><ref name="ReferenceA" />
|-
|FTM-25
|{{dts|2014|Nov|6|}}
|{{Success}}
|{{USS|John Paul Jones|DDG-53|6}} successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in three successful near-simultaneous target engagements over the Pacific Ocean. One short-range ballistic missile target was intercepted by a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IB guided missile, while two low-flying cruise missile targets were engaged by Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) Block IIIA guided missiles near-simultaneously.
|-
|MMW event 1
|{{dts|2015|July|28|}}
|{{Success}}
|A short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) target was launched from PMRF in a northwesterly trajectory. USS ''John Paul Jones'', positioned west of Hawaii, detected, tracked, and launched a SM-6 Dual I missile, resulting in a successful target intercept in the terminal stage.
|-
|MMW event 2
|{{dts|2015|July|29|}}
|{{Success}}
|A short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) target was launched from PMRF in a northwesterly trajectory. USS ''John Paul Jones'', positioned west of Hawaii, detected, tracked, and launched a SM-2 block 4 missile, resulting in a successful target intercept.
|-
|MTMD
|{{dts|2015|October|20|}}
|{{Success}}
|A Terrier-Orion short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) target was launched from the UK's Hebrides Range, northwest of Scotland. With multinational vessels in the North Atlantic participating in Maritime Theater Missile Defense, {{USS|Ross}} launched a SM-3 Block IA missile, resulting in a successful target intercept.
|-
|FTO-02 event 2a
|{{dts|2015|October|31|}}
|{{Failure}}
|The test stressed the ability of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems to negate two ballistic missile threats while Aegis BMD simultaneously conducted an anti-air warfare operation. A Short Range Air Launch Target (SRALT) was launched by a U.S. Air Force C-17. THAAD successfully intercepted the SRALT target. While THAAD was engaging the SRALT, an extended Medium Range Ballistic Missile (eMRBM) was air-launched by another Air Force C-17. The eMRBM target was detected and tracked by multiple BMDS assets including the AN/TPY-2 in forward-based mode, and USS ''John Paul Jones'' with its AN/SPY-1 radar. Shortly after eMRBM launch, a BQM-74E air-breathing target was also launched and tracked by USS ''John Paul Jones''. Both Aegis BMD and THAAD launched interceptors to engage the eMRBM. USS ''John Paul Jones'' successfully launched a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB Threat Upgrade guided missile, but an anomaly early in its flight prevented a midcourse intercept. However, the THAAD interceptor, in its terminal defense role, acquired and successfully intercepted the target. Concurrently, Aegis BMD successfully engaged the BQM-74E air-breathing target with a Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA guided missile. A failure review is currently underway to investigate the SM-3 anomaly.
|-
|FTO-02 event 1a
|{{dts|2015|December|9|}}
|{{Success}}
|During the test, a target representing a medium-range ballistic missile was air-launched from a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft over the broad ocean area southwest of Hawaii. The Aegis Ashore Weapon System then launched the SM-3 Block IB Threat Upgrade guided missile from its Vertical Launch System. The SM-3's kinetic warhead acquired the target reentry vehicle, diverted into its path, and destroyed the target using the kinetic force of a direct impact.
|-
|FTM-27
|{{dts|2016|December|14|}}
|{{Success}}
|USS ''John Paul Jones'', an Aegis baseline 9.C1 equipped destroyer, successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a complex medium-range ballistic missile target, demonstrating the Sea Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capability.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/16news0012.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date=2016-12-14 |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|SFTM-01
|{{dts|2017|February|3|}}
|{{Success}}
|The test from USS ''John Paul Jones'' was the first launch of an SM-3 Block IIA missile from an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) ship, and the first intercept engagement using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 (BMD 5.1) weapon system. SFTM-01 was the third flight test of the SM-3 Block IIA missile, but the first intercept attempt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/67539/sm-3-block-iia-missile-scores-hit-in-first-intercept-test|title = Janes &#124; Latest defence and security news}}</ref>
|-
|SFTM-02
|{{dts|2017|June|21|}}
|{{Failure}}
|A medium-range ballistic target missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai, Hawaii. The USS ''John Paul Jones'' (DDG-53) detected and tracked the target missile with its onboard AN/SPY-1 radar using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 weapon system. Upon acquiring and tracking the target, the ship launched an SM-3 Block IIA guided missile, but the missile did not intercept the target.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/17news0006.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date=2017-06-21 |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref> The attempt was unsuccessful because a sailor on board the firing ship inadvertently designated the target as friendly, causing the Aegis Weapon System to break the engagement and initiate a message commanding the SM-3 Block IIA missile to destruct, destroying the missile in flight<ref name="news.usni.org"/>
|-
|FTM-27 E2
|{{dts|2017|August|29|}}
|{{Success}}
|The USS ''John Paul Jones'' (DDG-53) successfully conducted a complex missile defense flight test, resulting in the intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) target using Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) guided missiles during a test off the coast of Hawaii.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/17news0009.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date=2017-08-29 |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|FS-17 E4
|{{dts|2017|October|15|}}
|{{Success}}
| The guided-missile destroyer USS ''Donald Cook'' (DDG-75) successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target with a Standard Missile-3 Block IB guided missile.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/17news0010.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date= |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-29
|{{dts|2018|January|31|}}
|{{Failure}}
|The Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy sailors manning the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex (AAMDTC) conducted a live-fire missile flight test Jan. 31 using a Standard-Missile (SM)-3 Block IIA missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii. This was a developmental and operational test of a new capability and utilized a missile variant not yet in production. The primary objective of the test, to intercept an air-launched intermediate-range ballistic missile target with an SM-3 Block IIA missile, was not achieved.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/18news0001.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date=2018-01-31 |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|JFTM-5 Event 2
|{{dts|2018|September|11|}}
|{{Success}}
|The test event verified the newest BMD engagement capability of the Japan (J6) Aegis BMD configuration of the recently upgraded Japan destroyer, JS ATAGO (DDG-177). At approximately 10:37pm HST on September 11, 2018, a simple separating, ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. JS ATAGO crew members detected and tracked the target. The Aegis Weapon System then developed a fire control solution and a Standard Missile -3 Block IB Threat Upgrade (SM-3 Blk IB TU) missile was launched. The SM-3 successfully intercepted the target above the Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/18news0005.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date= |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-45
|{{dts|2018|October|26|}}
|{{Success}}
|The {{USS|John Finn|DDG-113}} successfully conducted an intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile target with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile during a flight test off the west coast of Hawaii.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/18news0006.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date=2018-10-26 |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|FTI-03
|{{dts|2018|December|10|}}
|{{Success}}
|The Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex (AAMDTC) at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Kauai, Hawaii, successfully conducted Flight Test Integrated-03 (FTI-03). This was an operational live fire test demonstrating the Aegis Weapon System Engage On Remote capability to track and intercept an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) target with an Aegis Ashore-launched Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/18news0007.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date=2018-12-11 |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-44
|{{dts|2020|November|17|}}
|{{Success}}
|At approximately 7:50&nbsp;p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, (12:50&nbsp;a.m., Nov. 17, Eastern Standard Time), the ICBM-representative target was launched from the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, toward the broad ocean area northeast of Hawaii. In this developmental test, the USS John Finn (DDG-113) used engage-on-remote capabilities through the Command and Control Battle Management Communications (C2BMC) network as part of a defense of Hawaii scenario. After receiving tracking data from the C2BMC system, the destroyer launched a SM-3 Block IIA guided missile which destroyed the target.<ref name="mda20news0003">{{cite press release |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/20news0003.html |title= MDA - MDA News Releases|publisher=Mda.mil |date=2020-11-16 |accessdate=2022-08-28}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-48
|{{dts|2023|October|25|}}
|{{Success}}
|Codename: Vigilant Wyvern. [[USS Carl M. Levin|USS ''Carl M. Levin'']] successfully conducted an interception of two Terrier Oriole medium-range ballistic missile targets with two SM-3 Block IA missiles and of two BQM-117A subsonic anti-ship cruise missile drone targets with four SM-2 Block IIIA missiles. The targets were launched from Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.<ref name="navy-20231025">{{cite web |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/23news0004.html |title=US Navy and MDA Successfully Intercept Multiple Targets In Integrated Air and Missile Defense Test |date=25 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |work=Missile Defense Agency}}</ref>
|-
|FTX-23
|{{dts|2024|February|8|}}
|{{Success}}
|Codename: Stellar Sisyphus. The first part of the test was planned as a tracking event of a complex target with the primary objective of collecting data on the target scene from multiple sensors across different viewing angles. It involved [[USS McCampbell|USS ''McCampbell'']] and [[USS Jack H. Lucas|USS ''Jack H. Lucas'']], together with the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex and the Advanced Radar Development Evaluation Laboratory, tracking a Medium Range Ballistic Missile with countermeasures released by a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III plane flying over the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. The second part of the test consisted in the successful interception of the target with a SM-3 Block IIA missile launched by USS ''McCampbell''.<ref name="mda-20240208">{{cite web |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/24news0001.html |title=Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy Successfully Demonstrate Aegis Weapon System Capabilities against Advanced Countermeasure Missile Target |date=8 February 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=Missile Defense Agency}}</ref>
|-
|FTM-32
|{{dts|2024|March|28|}}
|{{Success}}
|Codename: Stellar Laelaps. The test demonstrated the capability to detect, track, engage, and intercept an MRBM target in the terminal phase of flight. A Medium Range Ballistic Missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii was intercepted through two [[SM-6|SM-6 Dual II]] missiles launched by [[USS Preble (DDG-88)|USS ''Preble'']]. Support was provided also by [[USS Jack H. Lucas|USS ''Jack H. Lucas'']], as well as by the Australian Defence Force through [[HMAS Stuart (FFH 153)|HMAS ''Stuart'']] and a [[Boeing E-7 Wedgetail]] aircraft.<ref name="mda-20240328">{{cite web |url=https://www.mda.mil/news/24news0004.html |title=MDA, Navy Conducts Successful Intercept with SM-6; Advances collaboration with Australia |date=28 March 2024 |access-date=31 March 2024 |work=Missile Defense Agency}}</ref>
|}

===Gallery===
<gallery>
File:FM-6 logo final.jpg|FM-6 Mission Logo
File:FM-8 logo final.jpg|FM-8 Mission Logo
File:FTM-21 Missile 1 04 Level CA7I9713.jpg|SM-3 interceptor launch during FTM-21
File:FTM-18 SM-3 launch.jpg|Launch of SM-3 interceptor during FTM-18
File:FTM-14 logo.jpg|FTM-14 Mission Logo
File:SM 3 Block IIA launched from the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at Hawaii.jpg|SM-3 Block IIA launch from the Aegis Ashore in Hawaii
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Aegis combat system|Aegis Weapon System]]
* [[Anti-ballistic missile]]
* [[Arrow (Israeli missile)|Arrow missile]]
* [[Atago-class destroyer]]
* [[Ballistic Missile Defense Organization]]
* [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme]]
* [[Kinetic Energy Interceptor]]
* [[MIM-104 Patriot]] missile
* [[National Missile Defense]]
* [[NATO missile defence system]]
* [[Pacific Missile Range Facility]]
* [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3]]
* [[Strategic Defense Initiative]]
* [[Terminal High Altitude Area Defense|Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)]]
* [[Ticonderoga class cruiser]]
* [[Vertical Launching System]]
* [[Boeing YAL-1|YAL-1 Airborne Laser]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|33em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140125154343/http://www.mda.mil/system/aegis_bmd.html Aegis BMD web page], [[U.S. Missile Defense Agency]] official website.
* [https://missilethreat.csis.org/system/aegis/ CSIS Missile Threat - Aegis BMD]
* [http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4441026 U.S. Navy Juggles Ships To Fill BMD Demands]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, By Christopher P. Cavas, defensenews.com, January 4, 2010.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110105212058/http://lewis.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1539/how-many-aegis-ships-to-defend-nato How Many Aegis Ships To Defend NATO?], By Jeffrey Lewis, June 12, 2007.
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/31/AR2010073103048.html U.S. nears key step in European defense shield against Iranian missiles], By Craig Whitlock, ''Washington Post'', August 1, 2010.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110221045402/http://csis.org/blog/under-new-missile-defense-plan-there-are-still-options-assurance Under the New Missile Defense Plan There Are Still Options for Assurance], John Warden, csis.org.
* [https://rpubs.com/alex-lev/323683 RPubs - US Missile defense credibility], US Missile defense credibility, North Korea case.

{{commons category}}
{{Naval combat systems}}
{{United States Missile Defense}}

[[Category:Missile Defense Agency]]
[[Category:Naval weapons of the United States]]
[[Category:Naval guided missile launch systems of the United States]]